What's In Your Dictionary?: Order

Which Comes First?

Have you ever been told to put on your shoes and socks? Did you do so in that order? I am guessing that you did not. Now when asked to take off your shoes and sock, you probably did so in that order. In both cases, performing those tasks in the wrong order is impossible (for real) or at best very impractical. Do we say “shoes and socks” in that order because they are alphabetically properly sequenced? Apparently we cannot trust the dictionary to get things in the right order. Let’s look at a couple instances where we can and cannot trust the dictionary order.

This long time, well-known quote is what sparked the whole “Dictionary” series. Even with (and maybe especially because of) the internet, we frequently see successful athletes achieve their incredible accomplishments without seeing all of the work behind the scenes necessary to produced them. We need to keep in mind that success is not just “being good at something;” talent has nothing to do with success as success is measured by setting a goal of improving and achieving it. The difference between success and winning is another topic for another time discussed by Coach John Wooden. Upon setting a goal, the secret to reaching it is usually a formula that includes work and time. In your running, there are some aspects that take a little time, like two weeks. More prominent (usually structural) changes and improvements take months. Overcoming extreme circumstances may take years. One key ingredient to achieving long term success is “Discipline.”

Many people will instinctively think of discipline as punishment. That is not a healthy perspective of the term. Let’s first define “Discipline” as “doing what you are supposed to in the best possible manner at the time you are supposed to do it.” But thinking of discipline as something you have to do is usually not very fun.

Let’s look at the correlation of this word and another word in the context of order in the dictionary. The second word is “Delight.” In this case, the dictionary DOES have it in the right order – “Delight” really needs to precede “Discipline.” In fact, when delight comes first, discipline is fun, easy, almost automatic and very self-fulfilling.

Your love for running is a strong bond that perseveres through winning and losing. The delight from throwing a tennis ball during warm up or running around town looking for PAWZ in essence camouflages the work in your discipline such that you practically don’t realize it is there. Some great athletes can’t tolerate the thought of losing and not being the best. But my favorite athletes, Allyson Felix being one of them, have decided to carry on for the love of the sport. She is not the best in the world any more, but she glows with delight as she puts her best foot forward. I feel this is a blessing to the track and field world as she has not let the realization that she probably won’t win deter her efforts.

So, in summary, work comes before success, but if delight for what you are doing is first, your work gets disguised and you will get more done.